Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media
Introduction. This paper reports an exploratory qualitative study investigating the ways in which older adults are supported by social media proxies defined as 'an individual who uses a social media account for or supports the use of a social media account by another person'. Method. In...
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University of Borås
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://informationr.net/infres/article/view/277 |
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| author | Gemma Webster Frances Ryan |
| author_facet | Gemma Webster Frances Ryan |
| author_sort | Gemma Webster |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction. This paper reports an exploratory qualitative study investigating the ways in which older adults are supported by social media proxies defined as 'an individual who uses a social media account for or supports the use of a social media account by another person'.
Method. Interviews, a diary study, and a focus group were conducted to explore the motivations for undertaking a proxy role; formal or informal agreements between proxies and account holders; and collaborative proxy practices that exist between the individuals providing or receiving proxy support.
Analysis. A reflective thematic analysis of all three data sources was undertaken. The coding structure was developed from the interview, diary and focus group guides as a way of categorising the data into themes.
Results. Social media proxy relationships exist, even if proxy roles are not clearly defined, and that older adults engage with their ‘social networks’ to identify proxy support and it is likely that without this support the older adult would be unable to fully access or engage with social media or other online accounts.
Conclusion. This research highlights the need for more in-depth investigations related to social media proxies, especially as the use of social media and other online platform is increasing steadily across all age groups.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a01fa5eaa0c64af1987385cf5304dd1b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-1613 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | University of Borås |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-a01fa5eaa0c64af1987385cf5304dd1b2025-02-03T10:11:10ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132023-03-01281Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social mediaGemma WebsterFrances Ryan Introduction. This paper reports an exploratory qualitative study investigating the ways in which older adults are supported by social media proxies defined as 'an individual who uses a social media account for or supports the use of a social media account by another person'. Method. Interviews, a diary study, and a focus group were conducted to explore the motivations for undertaking a proxy role; formal or informal agreements between proxies and account holders; and collaborative proxy practices that exist between the individuals providing or receiving proxy support. Analysis. A reflective thematic analysis of all three data sources was undertaken. The coding structure was developed from the interview, diary and focus group guides as a way of categorising the data into themes. Results. Social media proxy relationships exist, even if proxy roles are not clearly defined, and that older adults engage with their ‘social networks’ to identify proxy support and it is likely that without this support the older adult would be unable to fully access or engage with social media or other online accounts. Conclusion. This research highlights the need for more in-depth investigations related to social media proxies, especially as the use of social media and other online platform is increasing steadily across all age groups. https://informationr.net/infres/article/view/277older adultssocial mediaproxiesonline informationhuman information behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Gemma Webster Frances Ryan Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media Information Research: An International Electronic Journal older adults social media proxies online information human information behaviour |
| title | Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media |
| title_full | Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media |
| title_fullStr | Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media |
| title_short | Social Media by Proxy: how older adults work within their ‘social networks’ to engage with social media |
| title_sort | social media by proxy how older adults work within their social networks to engage with social media |
| topic | older adults social media proxies online information human information behaviour |
| url | https://informationr.net/infres/article/view/277 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gemmawebster socialmediabyproxyhowolderadultsworkwithintheirsocialnetworkstoengagewithsocialmedia AT francesryan socialmediabyproxyhowolderadultsworkwithintheirsocialnetworkstoengagewithsocialmedia |